Trip of a Lifetime Chapter II – Provence 2010

In my previous post I explained that I turned 50 and decided to go back to Europe for an epic adventure. We started in Paris, France then moved to Provence for a few days, then again by train we managed a whistle stop at Lake Como for a two night stand then on to Venice…

Last episode was Paris, this new chapter we find ourselves in St Remy de Provence for a few days discovering the delights of Provence.

It was our first time driving on the wrong side of the road and my adventurous friend decided to go first and after a nerve-wracking start we were on our way. It wasn’t too hard, well me being left handed found it easy enough, the hard part was not driving into the gutter. It seemed we had a tendency to go too far to the right and wanted to hug the kerb a lot!

Sous les Figuiers

Sous les Figuiers Entrance

Spoils from the market day

our French room

We made it from the Avignon TGV station in one piece and arrived in St Remy to a one way round-a-bout. Our B&B – Hotel Sous les Figuiers – was only a quick right hand turn away and suddenly we had arrived! St Remy didn’t disappoint. The B&B was so quaint and quintessentially French. We tore ourselves away and wandered into town. It was market day, we couldn’t believe our luck!! Olives, cheeses, and fruit accosted us at every turn. An overload to the senses. We had to buy! Now for the champagne we had bought in Epinay… parfait!!! So our first day was a food discovery more so than the town. It had hijacked us in an instant and not long after we were back at the B&B sipping our champagne and toasting our good fortune to have lucked upon market day in this wonderful place. We were in awe!

Next day found us exploring the place proper. It wasn’t very big so we could browse the shops, take a myriad of photographs and sample more of Provence’s food delights. This was going to be epic I thought, yep epic weight gain!

Artistes visit St Remy to pay homage to Vincent Van Gough. He spent a year of his life in the asylum there at St. Paul de Mausole , convalescing. It was the place where he painted quite a few masterpieces including “Irises”, “The Starry Night” and “The Olive Trees”.

Street St Remy

St Remy De Provence

Provence

Provence roadside

Street of St Remy

Shop storefront of St Remy

Entrance to Asylum

Van Goghs mountain view

Asylum

Provence landscape

We were lucky enough to stay in this area for four days, I wished it were more. We had some side trips to smaller towns in the area. Amongst them were Roussillon, Menerbes, Bonnieux and Gourdes. All interesting and quite different from each other. Another day was spent near Arle at the Camargue wetlands where flamingos abound. Ever seen a flying flamingo? Makes for a wonderful day trip or two from St. Remy.

Arle

Provence countryside

Gourdes hillside town

Roussillon

Menerbes Provence

Menerbes medieval laneway

St Remy rooftops

We left St Remy behind us, eyes peeled for Italy. It wasn’t goodbye as I left part of my soul here so I didn’t really leave at all. Next stop Lake Como, Italy!

Wow, thanks Angela, much appreciated. France is like that in places, you could swear you are back in medieval times with the cobblestone streets etc..
It was the best trip and I have a few more chapters to add yet. 🙂